Sykes gets down to business at Donington

Having had his hopes of a full victory robbed at Monza less than a week ago, Tom Sykes has signalled his intentions to make amends at Donington Park by setting the pace in first free practice.

Leading the British challenge on home soil this weekend following his outstanding start to the season aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10R, Sykes hit the top of the FP1 timesheets with just over ten minutes remaining and held sway to the chequered flag.

Taking advantage of the team's base setting around a familiar circuit, Leon Camier was an encouraging second quickest on the FIXI Crescent Suzuki, less than a tenth adrift of pace setter Sykes.

Jakub Smrz was third fastest on the Effenbert Liberty Ducati, running in full livery this weekend despite rumours that it wouldn't, while Michel Fabrizio, Marco Melandri and Leon Haslam made it a BMW 4-5-6 just behind.

Max Biaggi was seventh best, ahead of Ayrton Badovini on the second of the BMW Italia machines, Sylvain Guintoli and Jonathan Rea, the latter claiming tenth fastest despite completing on three flying laps after an early off.

Reigning champion Carlos Checa endured a trying session, the title contender crashing at Coppice whilst on a lap that would have likely put him further up the timesheets.

Chaz Davies was 12th best on the ParkinGO Aprilia, ahead of factory RSV-4 rider Eugene Laverty, while newcomers Peter Hickman, Loris Baz and Gary Mason ended their first session in 17th, 20th and 23rd respectively.